AIKEN, S.C. - Feb 13 - By JACOB JORDAN Associated Press Writer

 

As the pressure mounts to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, South Carolina has strengthened its foothold on possibly becoming a key player in the nation's future energy needs by opening a new hydrogen research hub.

The Center for Hydrogen Research, located near the former nuclear weapons complex the Savannah River Site, held its ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday. Though the labs were still mostly empty, researchers who will soon occupy the $9 million space beamed with excitement about what it could eventually mean to South Carolina and the rest of the country.

The center will combine existing efforts from the Savannah River National Lab, private industry and the state's research universities, hoping the discoveries will one day lead to commercial success and economic development in an area hit hard by layoffs at the the former nuclear weapons site.

"I would argue that the hydrogen footprint in South Carolina, for research and development of a hydrogen economy, is probably as advanced as anywhere in the country," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. "Change is coming. Those who deny it are the ones who are going to get left behind. South Carolina realizes change is coming."

The universities of South Carolina, Clemson and South Carolina State recently began studying hydrogen, and the national lab has for more than 50 years been involved in research and development of hydrogen. Since the 1950s, the lab has helped the nearby site maintain tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. The lab will lease about half the space and initially relocate about 40 researchers.

Some scientists think hydrogen fuel cells could replace electricity as a more cost effective energy source, and hydrogen has been eyed as a replacement for oil and other fossil fuels.

President Bush first detailed a $1.7 billion hydrogen research program in 2003. The government and automakers have been working to develop vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Toyota and General Motors have announced partnerships with the lab to test lighter-weight and more cost-effective storage tanks for hydrogen fuel. Toyota has already leased space at the center, said Ernie Chaput of the Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield Counties.

Several obstacles remain before cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells are readily available. That includes reducing production costs and building an infrastructure of fueling stations.

"We're committed to it because it's our future. When we think about our over-dependence on foreign sources of oil, the real future, the real vision is getting our transportation sector off of petroleum, and the way that we really do that is with hydrogen fuel cells," said Deputy Energy Secretary Clay Sell.

There's an aggressive plan to commercialize the technologies by 2015, but significant investments need to be made in research and development, "and we're going to do a lot of that here in Aiken," Sell said.

The center will help address costs, reliability and safety associated with using hydrogen as an energy source, said Savannah River lab director Todd Wright.

"This is not a six-month commitment," Wright said. "Sometimes, maybe you can see the enthusiasm change. In this particular case, I don't think that's going to happen because I really think there's a resolve and a drive to look for alternatives. ... It is a challenge, but it's not unlike many that we've faced in the past."

Republican Gov. Mark Sanford praised the collaborative effort, including the Commerce Department's recent announcement of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance, a statewide coalition to promote the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

"This is about addressing a major need of mankind. Whoever is first to the finish line is going to reap enormous benefits," Sanford said. "I think it represents a remarkable opportunity in South Carolina."